Chicago (IL) Hales Franciscan offensive tackle Denzel Ward, a 2014 prospect, committed to Michigan on Saturday. He chose the Wolverines over an offer from Purdue.
Ward is 6’9″ and 290 lbs. He is not ranked by the recruiting services, and testing results are unavailable at this point. Ward is in his first year of playing football, and he hasn’t released any film yet. He was offered by the coaching staff last weekend when he visited for Michigan’s game against Illinois, and he returned this weekend to give his commitment.
It might be obvious to say, but I have no strong opinion on Ward because I haven’t seen any film of him. I do find it a little surprising that Michigan’s coaching staff is taking a flyer on a kid who is so new to football when they have such a great 2013 offensive line recruiting class already in the fold. It seems like they’ve established a desire and ability to recruit truly elite talents, so Ward must look like a Hall of Fame athlete if they’re willing to take the time to develop him.
If Michigan gets back up to 85 scholarships with the class of 2013, then 17 current Michigan juniors will be scheduled to graduate after the 2013 season. So Michigan’s 2014 freshman class looks to be 17 strong, but as always, the number will probably grow between now and February 2014. Ward joins linebacker Michael Ferns as Michigan’s only other 2014 commit.
UPDATE: Here’s a link to Ward’s junior highlights and a scouting report. Film wasn’t released until about a month after Ward committed, so these two items were added later.
This list is fluid, so names may be added or removed as the week goes along. I’ll add write-ups on some of these players as I find time during the week. (EDIT: Recent news suggests that some of the class of 2013 “official visits” will actually be unofficials because there are so many recruits in town; lots of recruits at one time means there’s less time for individual attention, obviously.)
Detroit (MI) Cass Tech DE Joshua Alabi: Alabi is a 6’4″, 245 defensive end/defensive tackle prospect from the class of 2015. He has no offers at this point, but he is likely to become a highly touted player as his career continues. He looks as if he’ll eventually end up as an interior player. Alabi visited Michigan for the game against Air Force earlier this fall. (Highlight at the end of this video.)
Cincinnati (OH) Sycamore LB Tinashe Bere: Bere is a 6’1″, 210 lb. inside linebacker prospect from the class of 2014. He has a lone offer from Illinois, and I doubt that he will be offered by Michigan. Michigan only seems to be going after elite linebacker prospects, and Bere doesn’t appear to fit into that category. He’s the former teammate of freshman tight end A.J. Williams. (Highlights.)
Indianapolis (IN) Pike WR Dominique Booth: Booth is a 6’1″, 195 lb. wideout from the class of 2014. He has offers from Cal, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan State, Missouri, Purdue, and Wisconsin, among others. As a sophomore in 2011, he had 46 catches for 585 yards and 5 touchdowns. (Highlights.)
St. Charles (IL) East OG Brennan Bosch: Bosch is a 6’2″, 235 lb. offensive line prospect for the class of 2015, so he’s just a sophomore. He is the younger brother of 2013 Michigan offensive guard commit Kyle Bosch; the younger has an offer from Illinois already.
Columbus (OH) Walnut Ridge DE Robert Bowers: Bowers is a 6’6″, 210 lb. defensive end prospect from the class of 2014. He has a lone offer from Cincinnati. He’s very lanky and a good athlete, but he looks like he’ll need to develop physically a little bit if he wants to get big-time offers. This was Bowers’ second visit to Michigan. (Highlights.)
Detroit (MI) Cass Tech QB Jayru Campbell: Campbell is a 6’3″, 190 lb. quarterback from the class of 2015. He already has offers from Alabama and Notre Dame. As a freshman in 2011, he had 2,000 passing yards, threw 32 touchdowns, and had just 6 interceptions. Campbell is the teammate of 2013 commit Jourdan Lewis and the former teammate of freshman linebacker Royce Jenkins-Stone and freshman cornerback Terry Richardson. (Highlights.)
Tarpon Springs (FL) East Lake OT Mason Cole: Cole is a 6’5″, 275 lb. offensive line prospect from the class of 2014. He visited Ann Arbor for the BBQ at the Big House back in July, and he has offers from the likes of Clemson, Florida, Florida State, Michigan, Notre Dame, Ohio State, and USC. Some people have suggested that his previous visit to Michigan vaulted the Wolverines to the top of his list, and a good game against MSU could result in a commitment. (Highlights.)
Columbus (OH) Hamilton ATH Micky Crum: Crum is a 6’4″, 212 lb. prospect for the class of 2014 who already has an offer from Bowling Green. Ohio Preps named him the #19 in-state prospect for his class. He’s planning to play quarterback as a senior next season, but right now he’s playing tight end and linebacker. I could see him playing tight end or SAM at the next level. (Highlights.)
Massillon (OH) Washington OG Nathaniel Devers: Devers is a 6’3″, 265 lb. offensive guard prospect from the class of 2014. He has a lone offer from Toledo. Devers has visited Michigan previously, but did not earn an offer at the time. His teammate is Gareon Conley.(Highlights.)
Grand Rapids (MI) Christian OG Tommy Doles: Doles is a 6’5″, 245 lb. offensive line prospect from the class of 2014. He has already been offered by Iowa State and Michigan, though his lack of bulk might be preventing him from more offers. Being a highly coveted prospect might depend on how much weight he can add in the next several months, but he’s a very athletic kid with a high motor. Michigan is considered to be his leader.
Crystal Lake (IL) Prairie Ridge OT Shane Evans: Evans is a 6’4″, 250 lb. prospect from the class of 2014. He has no offers at this time.
Muskegon (MI) Muskegon DT Kenny Finley: Finley is a 6’3″, 265 lb. defensive tackle prospect from the class of 2014. Muskegon is the alma mater of former Michigan defensive tackle Terrance Taylor, and the school has produced several other FBS prospects in recent years.
Richmond (VA) Hermitage RB Derrick Green: Green is a 6’1″, 225 lb. running back who has been offered by Michigan, along with most of the big-time programs across the country. I did a couple scouting reports on Green (one live, one from video). Green has had several different teams high on his list (Alabama, Auburn, Ohio State, Oregon, Tennessee, Virginia Tech, etc.), but one constant has been Michigan. Both of his other presumed leaders at this point – Auburn and Tennessee – are having iffy or poor seasons, so a good performance against Michigan State this weekend could vault Michigan into the lead if he’s looking for a program headed in the right direct. This is his official visit.
Woodbridge (VA) Woodbridge DE Da’Shawn Hand: Hand is a 6’4″, 245 lb. prospect from the class of 2014. He already has offers from most of the big-time programs around the nation. He’s also generally considered to be the top overall recruit in his class. The fact that he’s driving up from Virginia during the season suggests that his interest in Michigan is strong, so hopefully the Wolverines can make a good impression on Saturday. UPDATE: Hand is no longer planning to attend Saturday’s game. (Highlights.)
Berea (KY) Madison Southern RB Damien Harris: Harris is a 5’11”, 201 lb. tailback prospect from the class of 2015. He’s one of just two current sophomores to have an offer from the Wolverines. As a freshman in 2011, he had 62 carries for 742 yards (12.0 yards/carry) and 12 touchdowns. This will be his second time visiting Michigan, and his highlights are very impressive from early in his sophomore season:
Huber Heights (OH) Wayne LB Dorian Hendrix: Hendrix is a 6’1″, 215 lb. linebacker prospect from the class of 2014. He attends the alma mater of former Michigan cornerback Terrence Talbott and defensive tackle Terry Talbott. Hendrix already has offers from Bowling Green, Illinois, and Toledo, among others. Ohio Preps lists him as the #11 player in the state of Ohio for 2014. He looks to me like a middle linebacker prospect, but I’m not sure that Michigan will be looking for many more linebackers in the 2014 class. (Highlights.)
Detroit (MI) Cass Tech RB/LB Gary Hosey: Hosey is a 6’0″, 225 lb. prospect from the class of 2014. He does not have any offers at this point. Michigan is looking at him as a potential running back recruit, but I don’t think he has the speed to be a BCS-level tailback; fullback might be more likely, but I’m not sure how many scholarships the Wolverines coaching staff will allot for fullbacks, with Sione Houma already on the roster and Wyatt Shallman coming in 2013.
Pickerington (OH) North RB Godwin Igwebuike: Igwebuike is a 5’11”, 185 lb. running back who’s the teammate of 2013 defensive end commit Jake Butt. He has offers from Cincinnati, Illinois, Nebraska, Pitt, and Wisconsin, and he’s currently committed to Northwestern, so he’s no slouch. If Michigan can’t reel in Derrick Green, Igwebuike might be a backup plan. (Highlights.)
Trotwood (OH) Trotwood-Madison RB Ashton Jackson: Jackson is a 5’11”, 180 lb. running back from the class of 2014. He has offers from Cincinnati, Illinois, and Purdue, among others. His teammate is 2013 Michigan linebacker commit Mike McCray. As a sophomore in 2011, Jackson had 1,100 yards rushing and 18 rushing touchdowns. (Highlights.)
Westland (MI) John Glenn WR Da’Mario Jones: Jones is a 6’2″, 185 lb. wide receiver who is currently committed to Central Michigan. He also has offers from Bowling Green and Toledo, but he appears to be a backup plan option in case the recruitment of Crete (IL) Crete-Monee wide receiver LaQuon Treadwell falls through. (Highlights.)
Cleveland (OH) Glenville OG Marcelys Jones: Jones is a 6’4″, 325 lb. offensive guard prospect from the class of 2014. He does not have a Michigan offer, but he has been offered by Indiana and Ohio State; a Michigan offer might not be too far in the future. Glenville is the alma mater of sophomore defensive end Frank Clark and freshman defensive tackle Willie Henry.
Cincinnati (OH) La Salle WR Derek Kief: Kief is a 6’5″, 185 lb. receiver from the class of 2014. He already has offers from Cincinnati, Illinois, and Indiana, among others. As a sophomore in 2011, he had 48 catches for 680 yards (14.1 yards/catch) and 10 touchdowns. He’s a taller guy with good ball skills, sort of like Jaron Dukes with a little more speed. (Highlights.)
Muskegon (MI) Muskegon OG Malik King: King is a 6’4″, 275 lb. offensive guard.
Huber Heights (OH) Wayne CB Tyree Kinnel: Kinnel is a 5’11”, 170 lb. corner from the class of 2014. He does not have any offers at this time. He also visited Michigan last weekend for the Illinois game, and (Highlights.)
Red Oak (TX) Red Oak S Ronnie Larue: Larue is a 6’0″, 185 lb. high school quarterback who is being looked at by Michigan to play strong safety. The 2014 prospect claims a 4.58 forty and a 4.03 shuttle time, as well as a 280 lb. bench; those numbers are pretty impressive for a small-ish high school quarterback. (Highlights.)
Cleveland (OH) Glenville WR Marshon Lattimore: Lattimore is a 6’0″, 175 lb. wideout with offers from Cincinnati, Georgia Tech, Illinois, Michigan, and others. He attends Ohio State pipeline Glenville, but Michigan has made inroads at the school in the past couple recruiting classes. (Highlights.)
Westerville (OH) South TE Darryl Long: Long is a 6’4″, 220 lb. tight end from the 2014 class. He plays some wide receiver in high school, but he’ll likely move to tight end; at Michigan he would probably be a U-back like Devin Funchess. Long’s lone offer so far is from Ohio. (Highlights.)
Woodbridge (VA) Woodbridge QB Mike Majette: Majette is a 5’10”, 176 lb. quarterback from the class of 2015. He’s the teammate of 2014 defensive prospect of Da’Shawn Hand. He already has an offer from West Virginia, but he’s likely a little small (at this point) to be considered a legitimate prospect to play quarterback at Michigan. Michigan would likely look at him more as a defensive back. UPDATE: Majett is no longer planning to attend Saturday’s game. (Highlights.)
Trotwood (OH) Trotwood-Madison WR Kendric Mallory: Mallory is a 6’2″, 174 lb. receiver in the class of 2014. He has an offer from Illinois and is the teammate of 2013 Michigan linebacker commit Mike McCray. (Highlights.)
Monroeville (PA) Gateway S Montae Nicholson: Nicholson is a 6’2″, 200 lb. safety from the class of 2014. He has visited Michigan previously and earned an offer at Michigan’s summer camp back in June; he also has offers from Ohio State, Penn State, Rutgers, and West Virginia, among others. Nicholson would likely play strong safety at a place like Michigan. (Highlight.)
Monroeville (PA) Gateway WR Ricky Rogers: Rogers is a 6’2″, 192 lb. receiver from the class of 2014. He already has offers from Pitt, Rutgers, and West Virginia. Rogers has some speed and the ability to go up and get the ball, but he’s not an upper echelon talent. He may earn an offer down the road, but I don’t think he’s a guy that Michigan will offer this early in the process. (Highlight.)
Tarpon Springs (FL) East Lake WR Artavis Scott: Scott is a 5’11”, 180 lb. receiver from the class of 2014. His teammate is Mason Cole, an offensive tackle with a Michigan offer. So far Scott has offers from Florida, Florida State, Notre Dame, Ohio State, and West Virginia, among others. I think there’s a very strong chance that Michigan offers Scott on the visit, though I doubt he would jump on the opportunity to commit.
Marion (OH) Harding RB L.J. Scott: Scott is a 5’10”, 210 lb. running back prospect with an offer from Kent State; he also reportedly has an offer from the Wolverines, though that might not be a “committable” offer. He’s a 2014 prospect who had 1,000 yards and 8 touchdowns as a sophomore in 2011. (Highlights.)
Cleveland (OH) Glenville S Erick Smith: Smith is a 6’1″, 185 lb. safety prospect for the class of 2014. His lone offer at this point is from Georgia Tech. I would not be surprised to see him earn a Michigan offer in the future, although he might not be a guy who needs to be offered right this instant. (Highlights.)
Middletown (OH) Middletown TE Chance Sorrell: Sorrell is a 6’6″, 229 lb. tight end prospect from the class of 2014. He has no offers at this point, and he suffered a broken ankle this season, so those offers might not come anytime soon. He’s a big kid who looks a bit like Craig Roh on the field, a good-but-not-great athlete. I don’t think he’ll be offered by Michigan at this stage, but he could be an option down the road. (Highlights.)
Sylvania (OH) Southview DT Ryan Stout: Stout is a 6’5″, 245 lb. defensive tackle prospect from the class of 2014. He has offers from Akron, Bowling Green, and Toledo. Southview is the alma mater of freshman safety Allen Gant. In his first five games this season, Stout had 45 tackles, 8 tackles for loss, and 5 sacks. (Highlights.)
Louisville (KY) Central S Donald Styles: Styles is a 5’10”, 180 lb. safety prospect without any offers at this time. However, he’s a solid hitter with decent speed, and he looks to me like an FBS prospect, though maybe not fast enough for elite level offers. (Highlights.)
Monroeville (PA) Gateway TE/LB Brenon Thrift: Thrift is a 6’3″, 230 lb. prospect for 2014. He already has offers from Pitt and West Virginia. He visited Michigan back in the summer, but WVU is his current leader. (Highlights.)
Crete (IL) Crete-Monee WR LaQuon Treadwell: I scouted Treadwell prior to the beginning of the 2012 season, and nothing he’s done as a senior has diminished my thoughts on him. He’s one of the top few receivers in the country and has the ability to be a possession guy or a big-play guy, whichever type is needed for the program. UPDATE: Treadwell did not make it to Ann Arbor.
Chicago (IL) Hales Franciscan OT Denzel Ward: Ward is a 6’9″, 295 lb. offensive tackle from the class of 2014 who was offered by Michigan when he visited Ann Arbor last weekend. There’s some buzz about him possibly committing this weekend, although he said after last weekend’s visit that he wanted to consider his options and have a discussion with his parents. There’s no film on him yet, so I have no analysis on how he plays the game. He also has an offer from Purdue.
Detroit (MI) Cass Tech CB Damon Webb: Webb is a 5’11”, 170 lb. prospect from the class of 2014. LSU, Michigan, Michigan State, and Ohio State are all major players in his recruitment, though LSU and Michigan seem to be out front. He could also play wide receiver at the next level, though his physicality suggests that he has a higher ceiling on defense.
Detroit (MI) Cass Tech RB Mikey Weber: Weber is a 5’10”, 195 lb. prospect from the class of 2015. He was hurt as a freshman and for part of this season, but there’s some buzz around him due to the speed he has showcased at times. He has no offers at this point, but a sophomore running back with his speed and physical development is likely to get some good looks at Cass Tech soon.
Detroit (MI) Country Day QB Tyler Wiegers: Wiegers is a 6’4″, 197 lb. quarterback from the class of 2014 who holds offers from Toledo and Western Michigan. He doesn’t have the best arm and isn’t a great athlete, but I like the way Wiegers commands the offense and his accuracy, and he also has a decent arm. If Michigan is going to take a guy in 2014 who’s a backup type, I think Wiegers could fill that role. He’s not a superstar and isn’t a guy who will unite the fan base like Shane Morris, but that might not be what the coaches are looking for in 2014. (Highlights.)
Minster (OH) Minster TE Ethan Wolf: Wolf is a 6’6″, 221 lb. prospect for the class of 2014. He has offers from Cincinnati, Illinois, and Toledo, among others. As a sophomore in 2011, he had 20 receptions for 392 yards.
Denzel Ward with Wolverine Nation’s Chantel Jennings
ADDED TO THE BOARD: 2013
Detroit (MI) Cass Tech offensive guard David Dawson decommitted from Michigan. He will visit Florida next weekend, and there’s a very strong chance that he will end up committing to the Gators, as he’s been flirting with visiting Gainesville for months. Check out his decommitment post for more analysis.
ADDED TO THE BOARD: 2014
Chicago (IL) Hales Franciscan offensive tackle Denzel Ward was offered by Michigan. He’s a 6’9″, 295 lb. kid with an offer from Purdue as well. Ward’s cousin is quarterback Robert Gregory, who attended Chicago (IL) Simeon and chose Purdue last winter; Simeon is also the alma mater of Michigan offensive guard Chris Bryant.
